How Logic Puzzles Build Thinking Skills Even Before Your Kids Can Read

Have you ever seen a preschooler solve a tricky puzzle before they can sound out “cat”? It’s pretty amazing!

I should know: for the last year, I've been writing and testing early logic activities with pre-K and Kinder kids.

credit: Adobe stock

Are you wondering how to build early Executive Function Skills?

The Harvard Center on the Developing Child highlights that early playful activities like puzzles and sorting games help build key thinking skills: focus, memory, and self-control. These build school readiness and lifelong problem-solving.

And even better:

Kids don’t need to be able to read to play with them.

Puzzles are the perfect way to practice early thinking skills: visually, playfully, and at just the right challenge level.

1. Puzzles teach step-by-step thinking

Young kids already notice patterns. Puzzles help them organize those patterns, figure out what’s missing, and build real reasoning skills. All with no reading skills needed.

credit: Adobe stock

2. Puzzles build frustration tolerance

Most puzzles don't work on the first try. That's the point! Kids learn to test, adjust, and try again. That helps build resilience, one of our most important thinking tools.

3. Puzzles build confidence

There’s magic in the “I did it!” moment. It teaches kids that their thinking matters and that they can solve real problems.

4. Puzzles support math and reading readiness

Matching, sequencing, comparing...those are all small logic challenges that help kids develop number sense and comprehension, too.

5. Puzzles are visual, hands-on, and screen-free

The NEW Logic Dots puzzles are full-color activity books, made for kids to solve with chunky crayons in hand. If a child can name four colors, count to four, and mark on a page, they’re ready for these puzzles. No reading needed, although there are words on the page to guide the helpful grown-ups.

The Dots are so excited to see you in their new book! Coming Soon!

Even Better:

QR codes embedded throughout the book link to short teacher videos that walk through puzzles step-by-step. We can do it together if you want. The videos teach strategy, model perseverance, and reduce frustration all at once.

You don’t have to wait for your kids to start reading before you can teach them how to think. Logic puzzles offer structure, confidence, and joyful practice with real-life problem solving.

And guess what? Our new thinking skills activities are out!  

The Dots have put out their first book, and it's the only one that starts with the earliest 2x2 puzzles that teach about single sets. Gifted three year old? No problem! Six year old totally new to puzzling? No problem - these puzzles teach all the tiny steps and avoid frustration for all kinds of learners.

Brand-new, friendly logic materials are on Amazon now. They start right at the beginning and build real thinking skills, one puzzle at a time.

Please click here to check out the listing on Amazon. Thank you so much!